Learn which essential oils are safe for dogs plus get a few recipes that you can start using right away to help your dog heal naturally.
I always gravitate towards nature’s medicine chest. I feel that there are many safe options that God planted all around us, if we are only wise enough to see. These options include essential oils, homeopathic medicine and herbal supplements.
Depending on what ailment I am addressing, the severity of it, and what I have on hand is how I choose to handle the situation.
During treatment, I make notes when a natural substance such as an essential oil acts swiftly to remove the particular malady. Each substance doesn’t always work equally across all dogs or even humans for that matter.
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes, by all means essential oils are safe when used correctly. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant compounds which means they are very powerful and cause skin irritation when not diluted.
They are very strong because it takes a lot of rose petals for example to get a few drops of rose essential oil. That is why it is very important that essential oils be diluted.
According to Dr. Josh Axe in his book Essential Oils Ancient Medicine the dilution ratio depends on the weight of the pet. Smaller pets should only be given diluted essential oils.
To dilute an essential oil combine it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, avocado or extra virgin olive oil. Use 2 tablespoons of carrier oil such as coconut oil to 1 – 2 drops of essential oils for pets under 30 pounds. For pets over 30 pounds a 1:1 ratio is recommended (1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 1 – 2 drops of essential oils).
I find the best place to apply the oil is behind the ears. This is the one area where the dog will not lick it all off. Oils around the face, nose and eyes should be avoided.
WHICH OILS SHOULD BE IN YOUR DOG MEDICINE BAG?
Having a few essential oils in your natural pharmacy will give you a great start at exploring the benefits your dog can experience. Frankincense, lavender, and lemongrass offer multiple uses making it easy to help your pet without a large investment.
From the book, Essential Oils Ancient Medicine Dr. Josh Axe et al give remedies for common pet health conditions. I will share a few examples below that you can begin using right away.
Ear Infection Dilute 1-2 drops of frankincense and apply to the back and front of the ear.
Fear/Anxiety Dilute 1-2 drops of lavender and apply it to the back of the ears and tail, or diffuse it at home.
Fleas Add 2-4 drops of lemongrass to the pet’s shampoo.
Insect Repellent Add 5 drops of lemongrass to a spray bottle filled with water. Shake then mist it onto the animal’s coat.
For anxiety, I have also placed 1 to 2 drops of undiluted lavender on a cotton pad used for make-up. You could also use a cotton ball. I placed this medicated pad
underneath my dog’s bedding. This method of using essential oil is transmitted through smell.
ESSENTIAL OILS TOXIC TO DOGS
Not all essential oils are considered equal therefor the following oils should be avoided. They are: Birch, Clove, Oregano, Tea Tree, Thyme and Wintergreen.
Avoid using any essential oil on an animal under three months old or those who are pregnant.
WHERE ARE ESSENTIAL OILS PURCHASED?
To determine the sourcing and quality standards of the essential oil you wish to purchase you can request a GC-MS report. I have been very satisfied with the high- quality essential oils from Eden’s Garden, a small woman owned business. You can check out Eden’s Garden here.